Q&A with Mercer's new Infrastructure Leader
Former CalPERS infrastructure & forestland portfolio manager, Farhad Billimoria has joined Mercer in its Pacific market investments business. The company's new infrastructure leader and occasional electric guitarist shares his insight on the Infrastructure investment sector.
Former CalPERS infrastructure & forestland portfolio manager, Farhad Billimoria has joined Mercer in its Pacific market investments business. The company's new infrastructure leader and occasional electric guitarist shares his insight on the Infrastructure investment sector.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
Mercer's clients' needs are multiple and varied - and one size definitely doesn't fit all. Finding the right investment strategy and portfolio that is suited to each individual client is not an easy task but it is definitely a challenge I look forward to taking up. The infrastructure investment class naturally resonates well with some clients and less with others but it is my role to provide high quality, objective and unbiased advice on the sector to the benefit of our clients.
How have your previous roles prepared you for this role?
I have seen the infrastructure sector from a variety of perspectives - as an advisor, as an investment manager and, most recently with my role at CalPERS, as the end investor itself. I think this brings a good dose of reality and grounding when it comes to providing advice to clients interested in investing in the sector.
What do you think will be your biggest challenge in the first 12 months?
The Australian infrastructure market is like a long running poker game. Being the new guy at the table you need to come up that learning curve very quickly else you risk being bluffed.
Would you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert? And why?
I tend to have a bit of both. I really enjoy meeting and collaborating with interesting and talented people, but at times I also tend to get very focussed especially when working on challenging problems.
What was your very first job?
Working at BBC Hardwarehouse (the predecessor to Bunnings) as a store clerk.
Do you have a secret skill/hidden talent?
I would not call it a talent (and my wife can attest to this first hand), but I occasionally plonk away at the electric guitar (with a bias towards anything Satriani and Hendrix).
